Expiration of stock-based awards.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage of after tax net profit to be retain by executive officer to achieve ownership.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, compensation paid.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than options vested in period percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by hare based payment ward fair value assumptions expected volatility period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award in the money stock options intrinsic value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award options vested fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of equity-based awards made to employees under equity-based compensation awards that have yet to vest.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, using a decimal to express in number of years.

+ References

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- Definition

Description of the period of time over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, which may be expressed in a variety of ways (for example, in years, month and year).

+ References

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- Definition

Equity-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

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-Topic 718

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64, 65

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Paragraph A240

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(c)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(a)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The total accumulated difference between fair values of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options which were exercised (or share units converted) into shares during the reporting period under the plan.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices pertaining to options outstanding under the plan as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(a)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The weighted average price as of the beginning of the year at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

+ References

+ Details

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Stock Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity ownership plan 2003 [member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity ownership and long term cash incentive plan 2007 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity ownership and long term cash incentive plan 2011 [Member]	Jan. 31, 2011 Restricted Awards [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Awards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Unvested restricted units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Non Option Plan [Member] Equity ownership plan 2003 [member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Option [Member] Incentive Stock Option Grants [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Option [Member] Equity ownership plan 2011 [member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Option [Member] Equity ownership and long term cash incentive plan 2011 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant shares under equity ownership plan					722,251	1,052,035							2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000	5,495,276
Share based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized						7,000,000	5,500,000
Restricted stock awards granted								166,800
Restricted stock awards granted value									$ 72.79
Restricted stock awards granted vesting period									33.00%
Vesting period of awards under Entergy's plans	3 years									36 months	10 months
Restricted units awards plan paid												$ 5.9
Stock-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiration of stock-based awards	after 10 years
Stock price volatility period	Four to Five years
Percentage of after tax net profit to be retain by executive officer to achieve ownership				75.00%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted	$ 11.48	$ 13.18	$ 12.47
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	29.6	36.6	35.6
Stock options outstanding	10,459,418	11,225,725
Weighted-average exercise price of stock options outstanding	$ 75.46	$ 72.45
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award options vested fair value	16	21	22
Aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding	0
Stock-based compensation cost related to non-vested stock options outstanding not yet recognized	10
Intrinsic value in the money stock options	67
Stock-based compensation cost related to non-vested stock options outstanding recognized	1.3
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, compensation paid	$ 0.7
Unvested restricted units at balance sheet date	138,965